CHAPTER 610: THE CHAOTIC CONTINENT

"To think Duke Qwass of all people would put their life on the line to save the king...."

Asmodeus slouched in his chair; everyone other than his wives left the room, preparing for the departure later that day. The teleportation gate wouldn’t be completed for at least a week, which meant he couldn’t just warp there in a few minutes.

However, marching north would take at least ten days, depending on how small and fast the unit Asmodeus took with him.

He wanted to help Avandar immediately, but couldn’t put his wives at risk—a selfish reason, but Asmodeus didn’t want to and thus wouldn’t.

If I rushed to Grigor, I could arrive in a single night.

The same wasn’t true for the demon knights or many of his wives; some of them couldn’t fly indefinitely, and the others lacked speed for superior control.

Thus, only Velvet, Vinea and Leviathan could match his pace. This wasn’t enough to protect the people of Grigor, save Avandar and deal with Mephisto, who regained a portion of his divinity simultaneously.

"You looked conflicted, honey."

"Master, can’t I help you?"

Riel’s beautiful figure bent forward, letting her soft chest press against his right arm. At the opposite side, Sariel’s heavier mounds squished around it as she mimicked the other succubi’s appeal.

"You know you both help me a great deal already, Sari, Riel."

"But...?"

The mature succubus pushed him further, a sweet, warm breath blowing against his cheek as her long red nails tapped his chin, sliding across to the other side. "We can help you now, you’ve given both of us the power to resist that wretch."

Riel’s sharp tone caught Asmodeus off guard, her sinister yet seductive smile stealing his attention, before the lovely and more youthful succubus on the other side pressed her entire body against him, spreading her body heat like a comfortable heater.

"We will help you I promise, Master."

"Sariel..."

"Riel."

He wrapped both of them in his arms, embracing their smooth bodies, enjoying the comfort their existence brought him. Their mental protection could resist Mephisto’s possession, but admitting he needed them tickled his pride as a man, as their husband.

I am foolish.

Why do I still hesitate?

"WIll you help me, Sari, Riel? I need your powers and company... Levia too."

Some of his women carried his children, and thinking of Serena, who lay in bed with both children and how fragile their lives were. He refused to leave with women close to birth, at the greatest danger of losing their treasure.

"My dear lord, you never needed to ask, we’ve stood beside you since you accepted or saved us. If you ask, then any women in this city would help you. No matter the cost!"

Leviathan’s passion as a demon Paladin always impressed him, but Velvet, Alice, Erika and Asmodea all nodded zealously at her words.

"I see, was I being too protective that it narrowed my sight and judgement?"

"Of course, isn’t that your usual habit?" Velvet’s muscular arm wrapped around his neck, tightening enough for him to feel the firmness squeezing him, but not enough to feel discomfort.

"Well, some of us might bring you down, but in battle you’ll need us all right?"

Asmodea didn’t come closer; instead, the soft tendrils from her magic tapped his thighs as they wrapped around them. The tight pressure brought a sense of focus to his head, allowing him to clear out any negative thoughts.

"I will stay, and help Serena prepare, husband."

Alice gave a polite bow; the most passionate lover in bed, normally calm and detached, made Asmodeus a little concerned. "Am I not asking too much of you, Alice?" He couldn’t be more aware of how she helped him organise the future layout, structure and laws of this new city he planned to usurp.

Her calm eyes observed him for a moment before her lips curled into a smirk.

"Idiot... you should just do what you do best. Fighting and fucking us." Her eyes lowered to his crotch while her words caused the women around him to burst into laughter. Alice never acted like a normal duchess or woman; her thoughts always brought him amusement.

Erika, who normally sought to spend more time with him, looked strange in his eyes. She watched him in silence, her beautiful blonde hair brushed back and vibrant blue eyes focused on his every move.

However, he could feel hesitation.

"Erika, what’s the matter?"

"A-Ah... darling it’s..."

Her shoulders drooped, then her hands cupped around her swollen stomach.

Not long after defeating Darius in Baltimore, the state of her pregnancy became more obvious. Erika was mostly human when she became pregnant, which meant her child developed close to a human’s cycle.

Asmodeus couldn’t help but use her less in stressful and dangerous situations.

Despite this, her face and eyes beamed as if desperate to avoid being separated from him.

"You know I can’t take you with me right now..."

"I know, I know that but..."

Tears welled in her eyes, frustration and happiness clashing because of her hormones. Erika struggled to control her emotions. Frustrated with this state, she couldn’t help but appeal to him, hoping for a solution.

"...What can I do for you, to make that frown into a smile?"

Asmodeus couldn’t leave his women in such a state; his hands caressed the delicate hips of Sariel and Riel as he watched Erika’s movements. He observed her reactions, gauging what the best plan of action could be.

Velvet and Alice looked apologetic when looking back at the blonde. Asmodea attempted to comfort her, stroking her back. Leviathan also appeared quite concerned, which felt so different from when they all competed against each other.

When did they start respecting each other so much?

Erika trembled, biting her lip. "Darling, you always carry everything on your own. I... I don’t want to be useless. Even if I can’t fight beside you, I want to give you strength. My heart, my faith... my child. Take it with you."

Asmodeus’s chest tightened. She was fragile now, her scent softer, warmer. The child inside her was already bound to his blood, and he could feel its pulse faintly whenever he touched her. He stepped forward, peeling away Sariel and Riel’s clinging warmth, and placed both hands against Erika’s stomach.

A faint glow of crimson light pulsed beneath his palms. The child stirred inside her as Erika gasped, a soft sound between sob and laugh, with tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Erika," he whispered, meeting her downcast eyes. "You are not useless. This entire journey you have supported and helped me endure this. In my darkest times and most delightful times Erika, you were always here. But... this is our child." His hand stroked her stomach, and the dull thump reacted to his touch, causing Erika to grip his wrist.

"I know... I know how selfish and stupid I am being, but I cannot control these feelings that are building in my chest." She peered up at him with a wet, seductive glance.

Her shoulders shook. She clung to him fiercely, her cheek pressed into his chest. "Then promise me... promise you’ll come back. No matter what Mephisto is planning, no matter what happens... return to us."

He squeezed her tighter, letting his warmth surround her. "I swear it. Even if the gods themselves try to chain me, I’ll come back to you all."

Velvet cleared her throat, smirking despite the dampness in her eyes. "Tch. You’re going to make us all want this kind of treatment if you keep this up, idiot."

Leviathan stepped forward, her black eyes filled with confidence. "Then it’s settled. We’ll ride north with you. Sariel, Riel, myself, Velvet, Vinea. The rest will guard Baltimore. Alice will oversee the city, and Erika will stay with Serena."

Asmodeus nodded slowly.

Although he didn’t want to leave them behind, this wasn’t a picnic, and once again the disturbances could lead to extreme danger. Thanks to his divine core, almost all his women now carried a divine shard, which would grow the more he interacted with them, but it wasn’t enough to face the Demigod Mephisto yet.

The choice was painful, but it felt right.

His women looked at each other, silent understanding hidden in their gazes.

Those who would remain would spend the last night with him, while those leaving took a step back and smiled at him affectionately.

They were still rivals for his affection, but they found a method and way to do so without causing fights and endless drama that might affect his love for them.

He returned to the throne and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. His body still ached from the divine clash with Darius, but his spirit burned hotter than ever. It wasn’t a painful ache, but the ache to fight someone stronger... the feeling he buried since becoming the Demon Lord and a father...

I want to fight stronger existences... to crush them and stand at the top.

"Good..." he said to the women who gathered themselves.

In a steady and calm voice, he continued. "Then those who are joining me prepare yourselves, we leave at dawn."